M. SOCCER

Men's Soccer Loses Late Lead to Catawba

SALISBURY, N.C. – The Pfeiffer University men’s soccer team (2-2-1) saw a 1-0 lead slip away late in the second half as Catawba (2-1) scored twice in a six minute span to steal a 2-1 victory over the Falcons under the lights at Frock Field. Nathan Regis scored for the Falcons, but Dango Kumwenda scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute.

Regis was the offensive catalyst for the Falcons in the first half. The freshman forward took three of Pfeiffer’s four first half shots. In the 25th minute, Regis took a perfect feed from Paco Cortez and put it in the back of the net. The goal was Regis’ first of his career and the assist was the first for the freshman Cortez as well. The half would end with Catawba holding a slight 5-4 advantage in shots and also taking four corner kicks to Pfeiffer’s one.

Catawba didn’t manage a single shot on net in the first 75 minutes of play, but Declan Stimson’s shot in the 76th minute got passed Falcons keeper Nicholas Dulac to knot the match at one. The shot was intended to be a cross but it found the top right corner of the goal. Six minutes later, Catawba’s Kumwenda scored the winner on an unassisted strike. Pfeiffer had a chance late to tie the score but Jaime Sanclmente’s corner kick with 1:30 remaining in regulation was knocked away by the defense and time ran out on Pfeiffer’s comeback attempt.

“On the balance of play, they were a bit better tonight,” said Head Coach Bob Reasso. “We had chances to win the game but we couldn’t convert. We are young in certain spots and it showed tonight. Their first goal put us on our heels and we made mistakes on the second goal as well. We had some chances late to tie the game but we couldn’t get it done tonight.”

On the evening, Catawba held a 10-7 lead in shots with each team putting two on net. Each team was whistled for 15 fouls in the contest and the Indians held a 9-2 advantage in corners.

The Falcons will now turn their attention to Conference Carolinas play as they begin conference play on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against King.